Rule of law and media freedom key to Serbia’s EU accession process, say MEPs

Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs urge Serbia to “seriously demonstrate” its strategic orientation towards the EU, in a report adopted on Wednesday.

No progress on the rule of law and media freedom

Serbia’s continued close relations with Russia raise concerns

Positive results in macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline

Serbian authorities need to show strong political will and consistency in the implementation of EU-related reforms and to communicate unambiguously to citizens on the EU and on Serbia’s European path, states the report adopted by 55 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

No progress in areas critical for EU membership

Acknowledging Serbia’s good level of preparation with regard to macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline, MEPs note with concern that there has been limited or no overall progress in meeting the criteria for EU membership in critical areas such as the rule of law, media freedom, public administration reform, and alignment with EU policies, in particular on EU foreign policy.

Serbia’s continued close relations with Russia raise concerns about its strategic orientation, say MEPs. They call on the EU to reconsider the extent of financial assistance to Serbia if the country continues to support anti-democratic ideologies and fails to align with EU sanctions and common foreign and security policy.

Corruption is a significant obstacle

The overall pace of the accession negotiations also depends on Serbia’s commitment to the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which is to be conducted in good faith in order to secure a legally binding agreement based on mutual recognition, states the report.

MEPs are also concerned about the Commission’s appeasing approach towards Serbia against the backdrop of the country’s year-long roll-back on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, as well as its destabilising influence on the whole region.

Stressing that the level of corruption in Serbia is a significant obstacle to its EU accession process, MEPs call for full and transparent legal proceedings and an official investigation into the collapse of the canopy of Novi Sad train station on 1 November 2024, and an impartial investigation into the alleged use of unlawful crowd control technology against protesters. MEPs are deeply concerned about the systemic issues highlighted by student and other protests in Serbia, such as issues relating to civil liberties, separation of powers, corruption, environmental protection and institutional and financial transparency. They regret the fact that the government missed the opportunity to meet the students’ demands, which align to a great extent with the reforms that Serbia is expected to implement as it moves towards EU accession.

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The rapporteur, Tonino Picula (S&D, HR), said: “A long political crisis, intensified by a lack of progress on fundamental criteria such as corruption, the rule of law, media freedom and electoral reform, is having a direct impact on Serbia’s progress towards EU membership. For too long Serbia has been trying to take the best of EU funds, while sidelining our core values and our geopolitical orientation. The enlargement process is merit-based, and Serbia's progress could have a positive impact on the region.”